World Wide (Happy-Faces-Me)

[Lavi Bookman]

He'd been wanting to go on this trip forever. Who wouldn't want to go see the world? It was only a question of whether or not a person had enough money to tour around and that issue had been solved. Liam Blackwood had gotten a part-time job just for that particular reason, as had his best friend. After having saved up for three years, they finally had enough when they graduated from high school. There were a few places he was really looking forward to seeing, amongst those were France, Japan and Italy. He was the sort of boy who liked food of all kinds and was dying to try out the cuisine in each of the places. After all, the best part of traveling to other countries was to sample their food, right? The sights were also nice but he wasn't as interested in them as he was with the food.

As the plane touched down onto the ground, the eighteen year old ran a hand through his medium blond hair and tied it up at the base of his neck with a hair tie. It didn't make much of a ponytail since it wasn't that long but as long as it was out of the way he didn't care. Liam stretched his arms into the air and stifled a yawn that threatened to break loose and waited for the fasten-seat belts neon sign to disappear. Once it had, he picked up his duffel bag and slung it over his shoulder with relative ease. Then, he grabbed hold of his carry-on item and headed off the plane with Travis. God, he was so tired. That plane ride had really done a number on him and he glanced over at his best friend. "Want to hit the sack, Trav? We can go look around later." He suggested to Travis.

Liam shifted the bag on his shoulder. The hotel shouldn't be too far away from here. Then again, Paris was huge and there was always a chance of getting lost if they weren't careful. "I think the hotel should be a few miles away from the airport if I remember correctly. Want to check our notes?" He asked. They'd brought along some notes so they would remember where their lodging was once they got to each country. Right now they were in France. Their original plan had been to stay for three days in each country and hopefully it would be enough time for them to have some fun.

 

[Happy-Faces-Me]

“Yeah, I’m pretty beat.” Travis added casually. He’d spent the last few minutes taking in the new worldly air. Of course it’s not like he was on a new planet, but it felt different all together, people talking in a new language, while he was being greeted still in English. It was refreshing though, to be out of the norm, and especially with someone like Liam. He was thoroughly interested in spending all this time with him, and he was glad they’d be able to just enjoy each other. It’s not like they had friends here to distract them from figuring out where they stood together. Eventually, they’d be able to sort their feelings out and everything would settle in. This trip would be best for them, even if it took a little too much out of Travis’ pocket. For the sake of this relationship, he didn’t mind spending a little extra cash.

Feeling a bit eased into the thoughts he had running through his mind, he turned to Liam with a bright smile on his face. “Checking our notes would be best. Or getting directions or something. I don’t wanna sleep out in the rain! Not that it’s raining, but that’s what happens in the movies when your down on your luck. I mean, at least we wouldn’t be alone?” He grasped Liam’s hand a bit cheesily, feeling that they needed to just start making steps. He didn’t wanna jump into bed right away, he wanted them to explore each other. “We should go get a taxi or something. It’d be easier than walking, but now that I think about it, maybe walking would be better. If the hotels not too far that is!” he laughed gently.

 

[Lavi Bookman]

Liam took out his notes and ran his finger down the paper. "It looks like it should be at 49, rue Berger, 75001 Paris, right across from the cheese shop La Crémerie." He told Travis and grinned when his friend grasped his hand. Leaning over, the blond pecked at Travis's cheek. It wasn't intimate enough to make them feel weird but it also wasn't the sort of thing a regular friend would do. They had to take little baby steps in order to see how they could work things out between them and this was just the first step. "Taking a taxi sounds good. Hopefully they know some sort of English." Liam said with a laugh and walked out into the road to raise his hand up in the air. A taxi stopped for them and the driver looked back at them after they had put their luggage in. "Où voulez-vous aller?" He asked.

The blond blinked for a moment, trying to remember what that meant. Oh, the driver was asking them where they wanted to go. "À un hôtel..." He managed to get out, knowing at least that much French. It wasn't that difficult although anything further would be pushing it. Liam wasn't fluent in French and only knew certain words and baby sentences. He leaned back against the cushion seat, glancing over at Travis as he interlaced his fingers between his friend's. "You doing alright?" Liam asked, wanting to make sure Travis was okay with everything and leaned his head against Travis's shoulder as he closed his blue eyes.

 

[Happy-Faces-Me]

“Sounds good, I’d love to just relax.” he laughed some, but blushed when Liam kissed his cheek. Their relationship still made him fluster, but he knew as time progressed they’d warm up to each other. He didn’t wanna rush either, and so giving a squeeze of Liam’s hand in response, they continued with their trip. “I highly doubt it. I mean, they’re not gonna learn it just for us. “ he laughed. “Maybe we should have touched up a bit more on our language.” Travis choked back laughter when the taxi driver spoke, but let Liam handle it.

Travis really needed to buy them a book, so that they could read and stuff and get to know more. At this rate they’d get lost and never even get around the ‘world’. “Good job.” he whispered, smiling and climbing inside. He held fast to Liam’s hand as they started moving, grinning like a child in a candy store. “Yeah, I’m doing just great.” he replied, adjusting so that Liam could be more comfortable on Travis’ arm, rubbing his thumb gently with his own and feeling a little nap coming on, but he fought it away, wanting to watch the scenery and what not, along with Liam’s form next to his own.

 

[Lavi Bookman]

It was rather nice to simply relax in something that wasn't an airplane. He smiled at his friend, wondering if they would one day make the jump to dating or if they would always remain friends. Liam knew not knowing the language well was a disadvantage for them but he was sure they would be able to get by for the most part. "All we need to remember is how to get back to the hotel and the airport." He teased and got out when the driver said they had reached their destination. Liam paid the driver and then headed into the hotel before them, looking back to make sure Travis was still coming and hadn't fallen asleep in the cab. If he had, the cab was long gone and it would just be him right now. Once they'd gotten their room and brought their belongings up, Liam turned to Travis.

"So what do you feel like doing now?" He asked his friend, tilting his head to the side curiously as he waited for a response. There were so many things they could do and not enough time to do them.